All language subtitles for The House of Eliott - S03E01 - Episode Twenty-Five.eng

Ladies and gentlemen, may I
have your attention please?

As you know, Beatrice
and Evangeline Eliott

sail for England tomorrow,
aboard the Laconia.

Now while I'm happy to
wish them bon voyage,

I'm not going to say goodbye,

I would much prefer
to say au revoir.

The Eliott Collection has
been an enormous success

with both the press
and the public.

And as a director
of the company,

may I say Sears Roebuck is proud
to be associated with them.

So would you join me
in a toast, please,

to Beatrice and Evangeline,
the House of Eliott.

B, Evie?

You're welcome.

Thank you, not only
for allowing us

to show our designs in
America and embark

on what promises to be
a successful venture,

but also for all the warmth and
hospitality you've shown us.

Evie?

Well we've had a wonderful time

and we're looking forward
to our next visit.

Thank you.

So how are you, glad
to be going home?

In a way.

We've really had a
terrific time here though.

Yes, Beatrice looks very happy.

Yes, Donald's been very
kind to us both.

This trip has done us
the world of good.

Is Beatrice fond of Donald?

Yes.

Oh please, Donald, there's
so many people

I want to say goodbye to.

All right, I'll find
us some fruit compote.

I'm not going to spoil
the party with business,

but tell me, are you now
going to consider designing

ready-to-wear gowns on
a more regular basis?

Oh I don't know, I think with
the season coming up at home

we're going to be pretty tied up

with the Couture Collection.

Oh, of course.

As long as your experience
with Sears Roebuck

hasn't put you off
the whole idea.

Not at all, it's been
very interesting

to see just how much
demand there is

for high quality gowns
in your stores.

Hasn't put us off anything.

Good.

Oh, excuse me, there's Harry.

He'll want to say goodbye
to you as well.

Pretty tied up?

We've only been here six weeks,

you're beginning to
sound like an American.

So?

Hi.

What have I done?

I think "gone native"
is the expression.

No more of that after
tomorrow, hey?

No, I suppose not.

Still, we have plenty to
look forward to in England.

Can I have the next
dance please?

Why of course.

I'm gonna be late if
I don't watch out.

Percy's coming round
me house at seven.

Oh come on, it's not
even six o'clock yet.

It's as near as makes no
difference, I'm off home.

Good evening!

You're back!

How are you, Tilly?

Fine, everything's fine.

Welcome back.

You should have let us know
when you were arriving,

we could have had
someone meet you.

Well, we wanted to surprise you.

Miss Eliott, I had no idea.

How are you?

How have you be managing?

I'm not sure where to start.

Please don't give me
the details this minute,

everything looks well
under control.

We just about managed.

If you want to get off
home, then please do.

Thank you, Miss Evie.

I suppose the mother-in-law's
expecting me straight back.

Goodnight, Madge.

See you tomorrow.

Goodnight.

I'm just going to say
hello to Alice and then-

Ah.

What do you mean, "ah"?

Perhaps we should go
through to your office.

It was very difficult.

Well what was?

What's happened to her?

Mrs Burgoyne received
a most generous offer

from Maison Gille,
Premier Founders.

That's ridiculous.

Alice wouldn't walk out
for a better job.

Well she walked out
of Huzzahs for us.

Mrs Burgoyne and I,
it was fine at first

and then we found we...

I'm not laying all the
blame on her, mind,

it was just perhaps I was a
little overzealous in my duties.

I was anxious to make sure
everything went smoothly.

I can see that Mrs
Burgoyne might have

regarded that as interference.

Did she say as much?

She pointed out that I was a
bookkeeper, not a couturier,

and well, she was quite right.

When did all this happen?

Last week.

She didn't even wait
to take her wages

and left on the Friday.

But what about our clients,
who's been attending to them?

I've done my best.

Tilly has been most helpful.

Hello, Mum.

Hello, Madge.

Wipe your feet.

I dunno, you turn your
back for five minutes

and look what happens.

Thanks, Tilly.

It weren't all his fault though,

she was dead set on going.

Well I find it hard to imagine

Joseph upsetting
anyone that much.

Did you see much
of what went on?

Some, couldn't help
it half the time.

She ain't half got
a voice on her,

that woman, when she tries.

There were shouting matches?

Oh no, not in front of the
clients, never got that bad.

So what actually happened?

Silly things.

Brewers rang, said they had
water damage in their warehouse,

they'll have to get a new
batch of grape in for us.

I mean, it was gonna to be a
couple of days, that's all.

She went mad.

"Well who do you think you are?

"You can't do this to
the House of Eliott.

"Right, you're having
no more orders off us."

Slamming the telephone down.

And I mean, they've been
good to us, Brewers.

It's all right now though,

Mr Wint got it all sorted
out in the end.

In fact, it wasn't Joseph's
fault at all.

No.

Except...

Go on.

He came in in a mourning suit.

Pardon?

Well after Mrs Burgoyne left,

the Duchess of Chilham
made an appointment

and Mr Wint said he'd
better receive her, so...

-He hired a mourning suit.
-A mourning suit.

And?

She was very gracious.

I mean, she shook hands
with him and all that,

and said she better
make an appointment

when you two got back.

And Mr Wint, he bowed.

I ain't half glad you're home.

Smashing cottage pie, Mum.

Yeah, I wasn't expecting
to come home to a hot meal.

It's a cold night, and
it's your favourite?

They call it ground
beef in America,

and they make it into sort
of rissoles, hamburgers,

and then they fry them up with-

I don't think I fancy that.

Oh no, they're ever so tasty.

We had a lovely capon for our
Christmas, didn't we, Jerry?

Bit too much for just
the two of us,

but it was ever so nice.

Mum's been a real trooper
since you've been away, Madge.

Well, that's what I'm here for.

Oh, by the way, I cleared out
the back cupboard for you.

There's all sorts of rubbish
in there wanted throwing out.

That's very good of you.

Someone had to hold the fort

while you was off gallivanting,
didn't we?

How long have we been
back in England?

About 12 hours.

Seems like months.

Thank you.

Were you expecting
a letter from Jack?

No, why should I be?

There's a lovely telegraph
from Donald, I mean "wire."

Oh yes?

"Welcome home, stop,

"America's loss is England's
gain, stop.

"In touch soon, stop."

You made a great impression
on Donald Bradley.

Well I should think
so, we brought

a lot of prestige
to Sears Roebuck.

Is that all?

I obviously failed miserably
in how I brought you up,

you're far too nosy
for your own good.

I know.

Still, I didn't get a
telegraph from Franklin.

Or Jeffrey, or Arnold
K Winstanley Jr?

It was fun, wasn't it?

Yes.

Do you know Miriam
asked us if we were

considering doing any
more ready-to-wear?

Hmm?

Well do you think we ought

to look at the idea
more seriously?

Well all ideas are worth
looking at, B.

But it's not what
we do best is it?

Says here they're
artificial silk.

It's called rayon.

Everyone wears rayon
stockings in America.

Well it feels like silk.

Now they don't darn
as easy as silk,

but then they don't
need it so often.

They wear ever so well and you
can wash them and everything.

Very kind, I'm sure.

Thanks ever so much, Madge.

I'm going to wear them
tonight when I see Percy.

And just before that you'll make

a start on Miss Hampton's
collar, all right?

Yes, Mrs Foss.

Mr Charles?

I didn't forget you.

Oh, I say.

They're from Havana.

Oh!

I got some for you and
some for Mr Wint.

Well, thank you very much,
Madge, that's very kind of you.

Madge, will you give me
two minutes to make sure

everyone's set up and I'll
show you what's going on?

Yeah.

Is she all right?

Well she took a lot
responsibility when everyone
was away,

especially when-

Oh I know, I heard.

She would have enjoyed
a trip to America.

Don't worry, I won't
rub her nose in it.

Mrs. Armstrong will be
here in 15 minutes.

And then there's no one
for the rest of the day.

And only Miss Hampton tomorrow.

I know it's my fault, but I
just didn't know what to do.

The ladies wish to
see other ladies,

and without Mrs Burgoyne-

No one is blaming you, Joseph.

You obviously managed very well

under very trying circumstances.

They all said they'd
rebook once you were home.

Well, most of them did.

I'm sure they will, Joseph.

So if you'll excuse me,
I have a good deal

of my own work to catch up with.

Of course.

Five appointments all week, B.

Do you think Alice just
took all her clients

with her to Maison Gille?

I don't know.

She certainly didn't bring any
with her from Huzzahs to us.

Maybe we just underestimated
the importance

of actually being
here ourselves.

All the accounts are up to date.

Everyone seems to be
paying their bills.

A-ha.

What?

Top of page 10.

"Maison Gille's Winter
Collection.

"100 glittering evening gowns."

We obviously have a lot
of catching up to do.

Hello.

Oh, good morning.

I'd like to see the Eliott
sisters please,

and I know they're back.

-Look, Miss Keeble,
-Grace.

As I said to you last
time, Miss Keeble,

it would be much better if you
were to make an appointment.

Are they busy now?

They're with a client
this very moment.

How long will they be?

Couldn't really say.

10 minutes, half an hour?

Possibly.

Then I'll wait.

In here all right?

It's gorgeous, I
simply adore it.

Oh, I must say it has
turned out awfully well.

Mrs Burgoyne looked
after you I presume?

Yes.

Turn round, darling.

We were all most surprised when

Mrs Burgoyne decamped
to Maison Gille.

But she seems happy
enough there.

Yes, that is charming.

Now get changed,
quickly, darling.

Thank you.

You will both come this
evening, won't you?

There are so many people dying
to talk to you about America.

Oh yes, of course, it's
Jessica's 21st, isn't it?

Yes, the invitation was waiting
for us when we got home.

We are looking forward to it.

By the way, I hope I've done
the right thing, my dear.

I know things have been
awkward between you and Jack,

but he and the children
have been such charms.

Simon has been trying to
telephone him for weeks.

Well, he was in Germany
before Christmas.

Oh, well that's probably
it then.

Simon sent him an invitation,
so if he's there, he's there,

and if he's not, he isn't.

Jesse, darling, come
on, quickly.

Oh, there's a young lady
to see you, a Miss Keeble.

A client?

I don't know, Miss Eliott.

She came a couple of times
while you were away, but she-

Hello, my name is Grace Keeble.

Hello.

Miss Keeble.

It's all right, I haven't
come to buying anything.

Then how may we help you?

Please sit down.

I've come to show you these.

What do you think?

Do you like them?

Well yes, they're very good.

Would you like to buy them?

I beg your pardon?

I'm a fashion designer like you.

Trouble is, unlike you, I
don't have a fashion house.

So I'm trying to sell me
designs to someone who does.

I'm afraid the House of
Eliott doesn't buy designs.

Why not?

Because my sister and I do
all the designing ourselves.

I see.

It's nothing to do with
the quality of the work.

No, of course not.

It's just never been our policy
to employ other designers.

Have you ever had any
of these made up at all?

I done this one.

Oh, where did you, I mean, who?

I made it.

I done dress making
and ladies tailoring

at the technical school
in Shoreditch.

Did you?

That's not bad.

But not good enough to get
you to buy my designs, hey?

If you're seeking employment,
Miss Keeble,

we occasionally have
vacancies in the workroom.

I've been in workrooms,

I've done outwork and
it's not for me.

As I said, I'm a designer and
that's what I'm going to do.

Well, I'm terribly, sorry.

I only come to you
because I knew

you started from nothing.

Still, another time, hey?

Look, I am sorry if
we appear rude,

it's just, well no
one's ever brought

their designs to us before.

You did rather take
us by surprise.

Your work is good.

You've obviously gone to
a great deal of trouble.

The designs are very promising.

I can't guarantee that
they will ever

be sold or even made up,
but we would be prepared

to buy a couple of
them as drawings.

Depending on the
price of course.

Does five shillings each
sound reasonable?

A guinea the pair.

Very well.

I'll get my chequebook.

Cash.

I'll go and see Joseph, shall I?

Sorry I'm late, Perce,
been waiting long?

Long enough to get
flippin' freezing.

Come on, let's go to
a caf and warm up.

Yeah, all right.

Here, listen, you got
any cash on you, girl?

Only, I left my wallet
at home, see?

Oh yeah, I got enough
for our dinner.

Good girl, I'll pay
you back tonight.

Right, Mr Baker, that's
a gross of black cotton,

gross of white,

20 yards of the narrow
lace trim,

20 yards of the wide stuff.

Tuppence a yard we said.

Tuppence, three farthings
on orders

less than 50 yards, Mr Cotter.

Tuppence, farthing and I'll
make it 30 yards of each.

And I'll have a bolt
of the same interfacing

I had last time and a gross
of the silver gilt buckles.

Dragon fly or Pharaoh's head?

Dragon fly if you
please, Mr Baker,

can't even sell the Egyptian
look in Manchester anymore.

= Very well.

Miss Eliott, please
come in, come in.

You managed to find those
buttons for me then?

Not one kind, but two.

Really?

I'll be with you in
a tick, Mr Cotter.

Now, this is the tortoiseshell
you wanted to see.

Mm-hmm.

And this one is Indian
buffalo horn.

Oh, I like that.

I'll have a dozen
of both of those.

Of course, I shall be
with you directly.

Oh forgive me for
interrupting your business.

It's quite all right,
no trouble at all.

It is Miss Eliott of the
House of Eliott, isn't it?

That's right.

Well now, I'm very pleased
to meet you, Larry Cotter.

I've been an admirer of
yours for a long time.

How kind.

I remember when you showed
those Nocturne gowns

a couple of years ago,
people were clamouring

for violet silk for
months afterwards.

Really?

Oh yes, couldn't
get enough of it.

And your last collection,
even after

all the business with Lord-

Well, all water under
the bridge now.

I'm in the fashion
business myself, you know.

Not quite in the same circles
as yourself, obviously.

I'm so sorry to have
kept you waiting.

That's all right.

I'm more in ready-to-wear.

And of course I've been reading

great things about
your American tour.

Thank you very much, good day.

So nice to talk to
you, Miss Eliott,

I do hope we meet again.

Yes, I hope so too.

Oh, let me give you my card.

Thank you.

Show me those buttons again.

You got anything like
that in bakelite?

I did suggest a small
orchestra playing real music

but she wouldn't hear of it.

Come on, Jessica.

My dears, hello, here's
the birthday girl.

The Americans had the most
wonderful cotton buttons,

really fresh, vivid colours.

Isn't that what they
use the slaves for?

Not anymore, no.

They have a consignment
arriving any day.

Maybe you would like to
drop in and see them?

Yes, I might, when
I have a moment.

Darlings, protect me.

If I have to listen
to one more old

droning on about the dangers
of modern living, I shall die.

Happy birthday, Jess.

I say, you look frightfully
elegant.

That's not a Gilles
number is it?

No, it's an Eliott.

Oh, I didn't think
of going there.

It's just that everybody
went along

to the Maison Gilles collection,

and I rather went along with
them, and once one's there,

it's frightfully hard
to resist, isn't it?

Jessica, happy birthday.

Thank you.

Do you know there were
eight Americans

on parade at the same time?

Gown after gown, and each one
more splendid than the last.

I see we shall have to
look to our laurels

if Maison Gille's going to mount

such an extravagant
collection each season.

Oh, my dear Beatrice,
I'm sure you have

no cause for concern,
none at all.

Good.

Would you excuse me a moment?

Having fun?

Not really, no.

Oh, is-

No, Jack's not here after all.

It's just, if I see one
more Gille gown...

Nevermind, I've extracted
promises to visit us

from at least a dozen people.

Well done.

Beatrice, Evangeline,
the very people.

Jessica is driving
me to distraction.

It's been going on for weeks,
but when Colonel Stanhope

brought the subject up again,
her eyes positively lit up

and I suddenly thought,

you're just the ones
to solve the problem.

What exactly is the problem?

Well, Jessica is
quite determined

to take up some sort
of paid employment.

I can't imagine why.

It's not as if she needed
money, but there we are.

And I suddenly thought of you.

Well Jessica could
be your new vendor.

We're certainly very flattered
by Jessica's interest-

Oh, do say yes.

After all, you do
need a new vendor

and Jessica knows absolutely
everyone.

Well we could certainly
talk to her.

Splendid, she'll be thrilled.

And to be quite honest,

I don't really mind her
doing that sort of thing.

After all, it's not what one
would call a real job, is it?

Jessica, darling.

It's nice to be back
in me own bed again.

Hurry up and get in so
I can warm my feet up.

In a minute, love.

Did you miss me while
I was away?

Yes, of course I did.

Don't know what I'd have done
if mum hadn't been so good.

That's not what I meant.

Hey?

Nevermind.

Give us a cuddle.

In a minute, love.

Only I've got to be up
early tomorrow morning.

Mr Simmons is down
with a bad tummy,

so I've got to do
all the timetables

as well as doing ticket office.

Best get some sleep then.

Yes, I think so.

Goodnight.

Night night.

Good morning now, Jess, let
us just take you through

to the vendor's office
and we will explain

exactly what the job entails.

This way.

I must say, it will
be quite novel

ordering frocks from
one's own daughter.

Ah, Tilly, perhaps Mrs Armstrong

would like to see some designs
while we talk to Jessica?

Of course.

This way, Jessica.

Would you like a tea or
a coffee, Mrs Armstrong?

Obviously you've seen
what a vendor does

on your visits as a client.

Oh absolutely.

You show them the designs,
find out which one they want

and make appointments.

Well it's a little more
complicated than that.

You must check with the workroom

at each stage of the process,
make sure they can get

the work done in time
for the fittings

and make sure either
Madge or Tilly

are free to attend the fittings.

And ideally you should
make every client feel

that she is the most
important person you know.

Yes, Mrs Burgoyne was
awfully good at that.

Almost like a best
friend, really.

You could tell her absolutely
everything.

I'm sure I don't have
to remind you, Jess,

that the fitting room has
the same confidentiality

as the priest's confessional.

Hear and instantly forget, Jess.

Gosh, yes.

Another aspect of the
job is to woo the client,

encourage them to visit
the House of Eliott

as opposed to, say-

Maison Gille for instance.

Can't people go where they like?

Yes, of course they can,

but we'd much prefer
it if they came here.

Yes, I suppose you would.

Well that's all right,
everyone will think

it's the most enormous wheeze
to come and buy from me.

Ah, what about other clients,

people you don't actually know?

Do you feel you could
introduce yourself socially

as well as balance the
business side of things?

Yes, I'm terribly sociable.

Well I think that's
all for the moment.

Jess, would you care to join
your mother in the reception,

and Evie and I will
just see if there's

anything else we haven't
discussed yet.

All right.

Triumph or disaster?

It's difficult to say,
it could be either.

She has all the right
connections,

but she must try and cultivate
a more professional attitude.

It would only be temporary.

Let's give her a try.

Miss B, telephone call for you

from Barracks Picture Studio.

I'll just come through.

Oh, Evie, will you finish
off the Armstrongs?

Yes, yes.

Mr Barrack, hello, how
nice to hear from you.

I'm fine, how are you?

No, I haven't heard from him.

All I know is Jack was
staying in Germany

til the film is finished.

I assumed he'd be back by now.

Well yes, I'll tell
him if I see him.

Goodbye.

Tilly, will you tell Evie I'll
be out over the lunch hour?

Yes, Miss B.

Thank you.

And we saw Greta Garbo
in the Temptress.

All those men chasing after
her I could have hit her.

You'll have to go and see it
when it comes here, Mr Charles,

it's lovely.

Well that's the great beauty

of the motion picture, isn't it?

It takes you right out of
yourself, into a whole new
world.

It's just like being there.

You keen on the pictures then?

Love them, Madge.

Do you know I saw The
Sheikh five times?

You never!

I did.

Yeah, I must say though, I do
envy you your trip to America.

That must've been wonderful.

It was really something,
as they say.

I'm getting really brassed off

with all this talk
about America.

I suspect you are too,
aren't you Tilly?

No, not really, Madge ain't
told me too much about it.

So could you start tomorrow?

10 o'clock.

8:30 is when we usually
like to get started.

Isn't this exciting?

Calm down, dear.

Now, will Jess be dealing
exclusively

with your couture clients
or will she be expected to

meet the ready-to-wear
people as well?

We've only designed one
ready-to-wear collection

and that was in America.

Oh!

You sound surprised.

Well I thought I saw
that particular gown

in a shop in Kensington
just this morning.

No, it's-

Oh yes, it had exactly
the same collar.

So distinctive.

It's rather nice actually.

I mean, one doesn't buy
ready-to-wear oneself, but-

Which shop was it exactly?

Yes?

Who on earth are you?

Good afternoon, madam,
may I help you?

I'm not sure.

I was just looking at
this dress in the window.

Would madam care to try it on?

No, I don't think so.

It's just...

I wondered who designed it.

It's not a Paris copy is it?

It's not a copy at all, madam.

It's a Grace Keeble original.

Grace Keeble, I don't think
I've ever heard of her.

She trained in Paris with
Worth and then Poiret,

though she's also designed
for the House of Eliott.

Afraid I haven't got
a clue where he is.

I haven't heard from the
old so-and-so for weeks,

I was starting to get
a bit concerned.

Tonnes of letters for him.

Have you heard anything?

No, I haven't

Forgive me, what are
you actually doing here?

Human anatomy at the moment.

Finals coming up in the summer,

Jack said I could look
after the flat

while he was in Germany.

And he's still there?

Well if he isn't,
he hasn't told me.

I see.

I say, you don't mind
me being here do you?

Only Jack did say-

That we're separated?

Yes, no I don't mind
you being here.

Did you want to pick
up some of your things?

Yes, but not at the moment.

I am just a little concerned
as to Jack's whereabouts,

that's all.

Hello, you come to tell me
you're making up my designs?

I most certainly have not.

I've come to ask you
what the devil

you think you're playing at.

In what way?

I think we should discuss
this indoors, may I come in?

No, if you're going to be rude,

you can say what you've
got to say out here.

I see, very well, Miss Keeble.

I've just come from Miss
Pemberton's dress shop

in Kensington.

Oh yeah?

Where your dress,

the one whose design
you sold to us,

was displayed in the window.

So?

You sold that design
to us, Miss Keeble.

I sold you a couple of drawings.

You made it quite clear you
weren't going to make them up,

that they weren't good
enough for your clientele.

You never asked me if I
was selling anywhere else.

That is not the way
business is done.

Not in your world perhaps,
Miss Eliott,

but in my world you do
business any way you can.

Goodnight.

How dare she march
into our office

and sell us designs she's
already sold to someone else.

And to actually tell that woman

she designed for the
House of Eliott.

And to leave me standing
on the doorstep.

I've never been so...

Don't you think this
is outrageous?

Well I don't see how
it really affects us.

We weren't going to make
the designs up anyway.

That's not the point,
we might have done, B.

It's the principal.

I think you've just had
your nose put out of joint

because Mrs Armstrong thought

they were good enough
to be your designs.

Don't be so absurd.

Aren't you the least
bit interested in this?

Frankly no, not very, I have
other things to think about.

What's happened, B?

Nothing, I can't find Jack.

No one can.

What?

That telephone call from
Abraham Barrack this morning,

he's been trying to trace
Jack in Germany.

He isn't at the address
he said he'd be at,

he's not at the studio.

So I went round to the flat,

But I thought-

And there was a stranger there.

Jack's let the flat to a
tenant without even telling me,

without...

He didn't know where
Jack was either.

What's happened to him, Evie?

I'll be glad to get home,

have a nice cup of
tea, won't you?

Here, here.

You'll be all right
soon, won't you?

I beg your pardon?

When do you and your
fiance get married?

You'll come home to find
a nice farm, won't you?

Supper on the table,
slippers by the arm.

Good cook is she, your fiance?

Yeah, excellent.

What's her name?

Stand back ladies.

Ain't you got no manners?

I'll be glad to get
home, won't you, Madge?

Yeah.

Tilly, what's the matter?

Miss Armstrong's just
asked me to make tea

for her and her clients
in the fitting room.

Has she indeed?

What was I supposed to do?

I couldn't exactly say
no in front of them.

It's not done though, is it?

No, it's not.

Well do it this once
and I'll have a word

with Miss Armstrong.

All right.

Oh, by the way, them
flowers arrived

for you about 20 minutes ago.

I've just been running
around so much

I didn't have time to tell you.

All right, Tilly, thank you.

You're welcome.

All right, I lied.

But what difference
does it make?

You'd never have known if that
Eliott woman hadn't told you.

You liked the dress didn't you?

It hasn't changed, has it?

I do not wish to discuss
the matter any further.

Are you telling me that a
dress is worth 30 guineas

if it's made by Grace Keeble
of the House of Eliott

and nothing if it's not?

Yes, and now if you would be

so good as to return my money.

Good morning.

Good morning, how are you?

But it's the same
colour as the one

I tried on at Maison Gille.

No, no, that was a
more subtle shade.

Try the black one.

Mummy would have a fit.

She'd think I was in mourning.

Yes, but jolly elegant mourning.

Try it on for fun.

Oh, hello, Miss Eliott, may I
present Miss Charlotte Parker.

Good morning.

Miss Julia Colbrook.

Morning.

I'll make sure someone
brings you an ashtray.

Jessica, may I have a word?

Yes.

Excuse me.

I've spoken to just about
everyone I know

and they've all been
terribly kind.

Mrs. Fitzwalter's coming
in next week sometime

and Mrs Babbage and her
daughter, Pamela,

you know the one with
the red hair?

They've promised to
come and visit.

And you met Julia and Charlotte.

They tried on absolutely
heaps of stuff.

Did they order anything?

Not exactly.

What about the others?

Have they made any definite
appointments?

More or less.

I mean, they will.

They all seem terribly keen.

Which is saying something
when you think

how besotted everyone
is with Monsieur Gille.

Jessica, I know you're
new and I appreciate

you helping us out like this,

but you must try and cultivate
a more professional attitude.

We need solid orders.

Yes, Miss Eliott.

And no more coffee
and cigarettes

in the fitting room
or the office.

Just think what would happen
if something got spilled.

Sorry, I will try and
do better, honestly.

It's all right.

Oh, Beatrice.

Yes.

Daddy's taking a gun at
Argonaut Castle this weekend.

He wants mummy and me to go
to sort of a house party.

So I'd like to take Friday off.

Madge, madge?

Have I done something
to upset you?

No, why do you ask?

I've just got it into my head

that you're not speaking to me.

Whatever made you think that?

I don't know, it's just
that you've been

nattering on to everyone else

about America and
all that stuff,

and you haven't said
a single word to me.

I thought we were friends.

You daft apeth.

I thought you minded me going.

I thought it'd seem
like gloating.

I've been dying to tell you.

I didn't think you
wanted to know.

Me a daft apeth?

Here, come back and have
your tea at our house.

I can tell you all about America

and you can tell me all
about old Mrs Burgoyne.

I can't 'cause Norman's
on nights tonight

and I do want to get
back and see him

before he goes to work.

Sunday's tomorrow though.

I'll make us a lardy cake.

Don't I've been eating so much.

of course I remember
you, Mr Cotter.

Well I'm afraid I'm a
bit busy at the moment.

Oh yes, what sort
of proposition?

Well, if you hold on
I'll just check my diary.

I'm afraid I'm busy
all day, Mr Cotter.

What on earth is this?

Seven o'clock, Friday,
yes, I'll be there.

Who the hell do you
think you are?

I beg your pardon?

You heard.

How dare you?

How dare I?

It's all right for her to
come storming round my home,

asking me what I'm playing at,

and it's not all right
me doing the same, huh?

I came to see you because
I felt you'd

dealt with us in an
underhand manner.

And what did you lose by it?

Did you lose your living?

Did all the ladyships stop
coming to the House of Eliott

'cause you was conned
out of one rotten guinea?

Miss Keeble, what exactly
is your complaint?

Do you know how much
that material costs me?

Do you know how long
I've been trying to get

someone to look at my
designs, take 'em seriously?

A whole flamin' year.

Walking around fashion
houses, shops, warehouses,

begging introductions to women

who look down their noses at me

'cause I don't have
the right accent.

That frock was the
first one I sold.

Yeah, all right, I spun
her a bit of a line,

otherwise she wouldn't have
looked twice at the dress.

I mean, it's not talent that
counts in this game, is it?

You know what she done,
Miss Pemberton,

after you'd gone and
stuck your nose in?

She demanded her money back,

said she only dealt in
exclusive couture designs.

So you have it.

You paid a guinea for
the exclusive design,

you have the dress.

I'm sorry, I didn't realise.

'Cause you didn't flamin'
think, did you?

what does it take, hey?

What do I have to
do to get a job?

I thought you of all
people would understand.

I mean, I remember hearing
you actually

nicked clients from
under Giroux nose

when you first started.

You weren't proud then.

You didn't have House
of Eliott policies then.

But you've made it
now, haven't you?

You can afford policies.

Yeah, and pulling the
ladder up after you

is just one of them, I suppose.

Well, there's bigger
fish in the sea than you.

I hear Maison Gille has whole
rooms full of designers.

Maybe he's grand enough not
to be scared of new talent.

Miss Keeble, would
you mind waiting

in the reception
for five minutes?

I must speak with my sister.

What?

Yeah, all right.

Thank you.

No, B, absolutely not,
out of the question.

Perhaps for a trial
period, say for a season?

Purely from our point of view,

I can see the benefits of
having a trainee designer.

Yes, so can I, but not her?

Why not?

Because, because she's awful.

You said yourself, she's
very talented.

Perhaps she wouldn't be so awful

if she wasn't so frustrated
at every turn.

Think about it, Evie, we've
seen it for ourselves.

She was overwhelming us with
sheer weight of numbers.

Yes, well she's not exactly
going to solve

that problem for us, is she?

Not yet, no, but eventually
we're going

to have to take on someone
if we're to survive.

I'd rather it was someone
we'd trained ourselves.

Perhaps to take on the daywear,

leave you more time for
the special evening gowns?

She's still got a great
deal to learn.

Delicious.

I thought we were
having lardy cake?

You know, I tried making
waffles for Jerry and his mother

and they wouldn't even try them.

Don't know what they're missing.

Mind you, since I've
been expecting

I've been a devil for
anything sweet.

That maple syrup...

Take it home with you, go on,

I've got another jar
in the cupboard.

Oh thank you, Madge.

I bet it's funny being
all ordinary back here,

after being so grand in America.

How was your boat?

Did you get to sit on
the captain's table?

No.

I'm gonna show you what
I nicked off the boat.

You what?

Oh, it's only a paper napkin,

and one of them little
fancy menu cards,

but it says "SS Laconia" on
them in lovely gold letters.

Oh Madge.

Ah, hello, Tilly.

Hello.

Heya, Jerry, have you seen that

paper napkin hat was in here?

You know the one off the boat.

I threw it out, why?

You did what?

I'm sorry, Madge, I didn't
think it was important.

Anyway, we hardly need to
keep paper napkins, do we?

Any chance of a cup of tea?

Beatrice?

Hello.

Thank you for the flowers,
they are beautiful.

By the end of the day
we'd actually taken on

the extraordinary Miss Keeble.

I think you'll be glad you did.

Oh, you haven't met her.

No, but I've met
people like her.

Tough, hungry, from the
wrong side of the tribes.

Yes.

They know what's needed
in shops, offices,

what Mrs General Manager
is willing

to pay for a cocktail dress.

That hardly applies to
the House of Eliott.

The world is changing, Beatrice.

Of course there'll always
be a place for a couturier,

but mark my words, it'll
be a very bad mistake

to underestimate the
power of that woman,

and of all the others like her.

Yes, Donald.

I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to take up

our first evening
talking business.

No, neither did I.

It's so good to see you again.

Do you wish to order now, sir?

Charles, Joseph, ladies,

I would like to introduce
Miss Grace Keeble.

As from this morning,
she will be joining us

as a trainee designer.

Jess, I didn't say anything
at the time

because you had obviously
made all the arrangements,

but in future we would prefer it

if you didn't ask for
days off, just like that.

If it's terribly important
then I'm sure

we can come to some
sort of arrangement.

Yes, I know, I am awfully sorry.

But it was terribly useful.

Really?

And I'd done it all properly.

Look, Charlotte Parker
at 10, Julia at 11,

Mrs Campbell and Mrs
Prescott-White in the afternoon,

and I'd rather said you'll do

the fitting for my godmother
on Thursday.

That's the Duchess of Chilham.

She said on Saturday she
was dying to meet you.

Really?

And I've given Madge
and Tilly a list

of all the appointments
for next week,

so there's no confusion.

How many appointments are there?

About nine in all, and half
a dozen or so for next week.

Is that all right?

Yes, splendid.

Well done.

This is Tilly, our specialist
in bead work and embroidery.

I did embroidery at
Barrett Street.

How many of these beads
per square inch

can you use without
dragging the fabric?

I'm sure Tilly will be happy

to tell you anything
you don't know.

Look, what I need to know is
cutting, you said yourself-

I said we'd train you to
design for the House of Eliott.

We'll start with fabrics.

Well I shall be round
in about an hour then.

Right, good night.

Jack's tenant's going
out for the evening,

so I'm going to go round and
collect the rest of my things.

Where are you going?

Out to dinner with Larry
Cotter, remember?

Not that I'm looking
forward to it.

Wouldn't have agreed to go at
all if grace hadn't barged in.

I knew you'd find
something to blame her for.

You see, our worlds are
merging, Miss Eliott,

growing together as it were.

But the aristocracy, the
well off, so to speak,

they're not quite as
well off as they were,

and the people that made do
with what they could always get,

well, they're getting paid
more, so they can get more.

Do you see what I mean?

I think so.

Thank you so much.

Anyway, somewhere in
the middle ground

is the sort of woman that
wants couture style at,

well, not quite for
high street prices, but,

well, Bond Street prices
if you follow my meaning.

Yes, I follow you.

Of course you do.

Now this is the area where
someone such as yourself

might well do business with
someone such as myself.

You, a highly respected
couturier,

knows one end of the business,

and I've sold a thousand dresses

up and down every high
street in Britain.

Now, where you sell silk,
I'd sell cotton.

We'd sell good quality
artificial silk.

We've got a lot to learn
from each other, Miss Eliott.

That may be so, Mr
Cotter, but quite frankly,

apart from our one
American venture,

I can't really see
the House of Eliott

going into ready-to-wear
on such a large scale.

No?

You've got full order
books til 1930 have you?

Is Lady Harriet Ponsonby Smythe

still ordering 20 ball
gowns each season?

Well no, but-

What's your annual profit?

Same as last year?

Mine's almost doubled,
has yours?

Mr Davenport?

What I've got in mind is
your artistry, your prestige,

coupled with my manufacturing
and retailing experience.

An exclusive label sold
in exclusive shops.

Sounds like a fascinating idea,

but quite honestly I
don't see my sister and I

being willing compromise
the quality of our work,

merely in order to attract
what may prove to be

a less discriminating clientele.

Manmade fabrics are
all very well, but-

I knew you'd agree
with me there.

I beg your pardon?

I noticed you were wearing

rayon stockings the minute
you walked in.

Very nice too, if I may say so.

No thank you.

Would you like a coffee,
Mr Cotter?

I'm so sorry, Mr Davenport,
I thought-